The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team was defeated, 62-34, at Mount St. Mary's University, Monday, Jan. 12 in Emmitsburg, MD. Sophomore guard Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) hauled down a career-high 14 rebounds, but the Knights slipped to 4-10 overall and 3-3 in Northeast Conference play.
A strong first half by the Mountaineers allowed them to notch their second-straight league win, en route to a .500 overall record (7-7, and 2-3 against NEC foes). All eight-student-athletes who suited up, scored for Mount St. Mary's.
Over the final 20 minutes, the two squads battled to a 25-25 performance. Regardless, FDU was tripped up for a third-consecutive occasion.
Laury and junior backcourt mate Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) registered a team-best seven points. Junior forward Christy Altamirano (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) had a season-high four steals. Mayrose ? who also scored six points on a perfect night shooting ? and Laury both dropped three assists. Freshman center Erica McKeithan (Newport News, VA/Heritage) added six points.
"The Mount came out and had a great first half," Head Coach Peter Cinella said. "We battled hard in the second half to play them even. We just need to keep improving."
Junior guard Hassanah Oliver finished off a an old-fashioned three-point play, then freshman guard Sandra Andresson popped a pull-up in the paint, and The Mount held a 9-0 lead less than three minutes after the opening tip. Senior center Shenika Chang (New York, NY/Park West) finally got FDU on the board with a turnaround in the lane at the 16:45 mark.
The Knights temporarily staved off a 20-point deficit when McKeithan converted a feed from Mayrose, halting a 12-0 home-standing run and a 6:37 scoreless drought. After an 8:01 interval without a field goal, McKeithan banked in a fade away.
Mount St. Mary's hit the break with a 37-9 advantage, propelled by a 13-for-25 showing from the floor. Mayrose's six boards proved a bright spot for Fairleigh Dickinson. Oliver and sophomore forward Leah Westbrooks went for eight points a piece.
After a Mountaineer hoop to start the second half, FDU pushed the pace for a quick 6-0 push. However, The Mount answered with a 14-2 run encompassing 8:13. Sykes followed one of her missed free throws and converted a baseline put-back to calm the momentum.
Mayrose later kicked out for a Laury jumper with 5:01 left ? ultimately triggering an 8-0 string. Sykes capped things ? a created a 55-30 contest ? by spinning around a defender and rattling home an acrobatic lay-up.
Despite being out-rebounded 35-29, the Mountaineers forced 25 turnovers and shot 47.1% on the night. Westbrooks tallied a game-high 14 points, coupled with eight rebounds. Oliver scored 12 points and dished out five dimes. Andresson finished with 10 points.
The Knights host the New Jersey Institute of Technology at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, in Hackensack, NJ. The contest marks the first of a season-long five-game home stand that takes Cinella's squad through the end of the month.
